What's wrong with being relevant?

[Pro31:28]

I think that being relevant is the key to seeing the world change.
For the most part, according to my understanding when a missionary goes into a new country they are taught the ways of the people. They must interact with the natives in order to influence them (of course they generally forego things like human sacrifice)... But when it comes to the way that they eat, what they eat, and how they interact, if the missionaries do not adapt, they will not see results.
I find this is true in my work with teenagers. If I have no idea what they are talking about, they will not listen as closely to me, they will think I don't have a "clue". So I learn what they are "into" and I am able to counteract, or encourage it.
I don't have to listen to Katy Perry to know what she stands for, a quick internet search of reading her lyrics, and a background read into her history tells me what I need to know when talking to my students who defend her.


Just a thought

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by MrMasterMind

Lately many Oneness organizations have been speaking out vehemently against the "relevant" movement.

What have they been saying?

BTW, cool name and avatar! Does that make you relevant?

[RevDWW]

Casting Crowns second verse of "What this world needs" song

What this world needs
Is for us to care more about the inside than the outside
Have we become so blind that we can't see
God's gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt
What this world needs
Is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance
Blending in so well that people can't see the difference
And it's the difference that sets the world free


I agree.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx2nKJNGzwA

[jaxfam6]

I am glad for balanced teaching. Our pastor speaks of us staying relevent and being relevent to the world. We need to find as many ways as possible to make contact and impact lives.

[A.W. Bowman]

My dear friends -

It is not how one looks, speaks or even how we act that will make us relevant to anyone "in the world". As pointed out earlier, it will be how we engage these individuals - meeting them where "they are at" and ministering to their needs - right now..

What will attract the attention of those around us - to want to examine us closer - is not our "holy dress", but the fruit of the Spirit. What will attract folks is not our ability to recite Oneness doctrine or even Acts 2:38, it will be the power of our testimony and the witness of our transformed lives.

Or,

We can stay out of the sinners house, like Jesus did. We can stay away from those believe in the same God, but not as we do, just like Peter did. We can keep ourselves separated from those who do not believe in our God at all, like Paul did. We can keep adding to our list of religious laws, like Apostles did. Yes, let's pray that God will send those sinners into the "House of God", so we will not have to go out to the highways and byways and compel anyone to come in.

Oops! Perhaps we need to make some minor adjustments (corrections) to the above statements.

Why would anyone want what we have, when we look and act like we are in worse shape than they are? We love to use David as an example of expressing our joy before the Lord and to justify our worship behavior in church. Well, friends and neighbors, David did not do a wild dance in church (Temple) - he did it in public and in front of the ladies! Now, where are our public expressions of joy before the Lord? Where are our smiles and warm greetings? Where are our helping hands and expressions of compassion? Where are our ministries to the lost and dieing with food, shelter, clothings, medical support, transportation, etc. and yes, don't forget fellowship and the sharing of the gospel of the kingdom of heaven?

It was for these folks that Jesus died. Can we not put up with a little stink of cigarette smoke, stale liquor, and their lousy music? After all, "such were some of you."

Ouch! Make that, "such were some of us!"

[A.W. Bowman]

Originally Posted by jaxfam6

I am glad for balanced teaching. Our pastor speaks of us staying relevent and being relevent to the world. We need to find as many ways as possible to make contact and impact lives.

You "broke the code". Teach it!

[jaxfam6]

Originally Posted by HaShaliach

You "broke the code". Teach it!

I am very thankful for the balanced and wise teachings of my pastor. He is truly a God send to us. He is a man and admits he has faults and failures.

[MrMasterMind]

Originally Posted by jaxfam6

I am glad for balanced teaching. Our pastor speaks of us staying relevent and being relevent to the world. We need to find as many ways as possible to make contact and impact lives.

Would that be anything like becoming all things to all men so that by all means some might be saved?

[MrMasterMind]

Originally Posted by HaShaliach

....



Why would anyone want what we have, when we look and act like we are in worse shape than they are? We love to use David as an example of expressing our joy before the Lord and to justify our worship behavior in church. Well, friends and neighbors, David did not do a wild dance in church (Temple) - he did it in public and in front of the ladies! Now, where are our public expressions of joy before the Lord? Where are our smiles and warm greetings? Where are our helping hands and expressions of compassion? Where are our ministries to the lost and dieing with food, shelter, clothings, medical support, transportation, etc. and yes, don't forget fellowship and the sharing of the gospel of the kingdom of heaven?

It was for these folks that Jesus died. Can we not put up with a little stink of cigarette smoke, stale liquor, and their lousy music? After all, "such were some of you."

Ouch! Make that, "such were some of us!"

Are you suggesting that folk can be saved outside the four walls of a traditional local church building!?! Sounds pretty radical to me.

[A.W. Bowman]

Originally Posted by MrMasterMind

Are you suggesting that folk can be saved outside the four walls of a traditional local church building!?! Sounds pretty radical to me.

LOLOL No! I would never, ever suggest such a thing. I might, however, state the idea as a firm fact!.